Intergral, single material container cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bottle caps for mineral water, soft drinks, and isotonic drinks with small diameters lack an integrated air inlet valve, leading to issues like liquid leakage and difficulty in consumption, especially for young children and the elderly, due to the need for suction which can cause choking and deformation of the container.
Innovation Solution
A cap with a single body incorporating a check valve that allows air intake during suction but prevents liquid exit, made from semi-rigid material like polyethylene, allowing for controlled liquid flow without deformation, manufactured using a one-step injection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a check valve is added to small diameter bottle caps to enable air inlet during drinking, then liquid consumption efficiency is improved, but the risk of liquid leakage through the air inlet increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating asymmetric hole configurations where the air inlet hole and liquid outlet hole are positioned at different locations and sizes on the cap. The air inlet hole is specifically positioned and sized to allow air entry during suction while being too small to permit liquid passage, thereby locally optimizing each hole's function to prevent leakage while maintaining drinking efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are assembled to create air inlet and liquid outlet functions, then consumption functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions (air inlet, liquid outlet, and cap structure) into a single integrated cap component. Instead of assembling separate valves and openings, the invention creates a unified cap with strategically positioned holes that perform all necessary functions, thereby simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing costs while maintaining versatile consumption functionality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cap surface area is increased to accommodate separate air inlet and liquid outlet holes, then liquid leakage is prevented, but the cap size becomes unsuitable for small volume bottles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial constraint by utilizing the vertical dimension and angular positioning of holes rather than relying solely on increased surface area. The air inlet and liquid outlet holes are positioned at different angles and depths within the cap structure, allowing functional separation without increasing the cap's external footprint, thus preventing leakage while maintaining suitability for small volume bottles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables controlled and efficient liquid consumption without leakage or container deformation, allowing users to drink without stopping to breathe and reducing the risk of choking, while maintaining a cost similar to traditional caps.
Implementation Method 1
said air inlet comprising a check valve allowing the entrance of air into the container but not the exit of the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an single piece integral cap, made from a single material, for consuming a liquid from a container. The cap has at least one hole for the exit of liquid from the container and an inlet for the entrance of air into the container. This air inlet incorporates a check valve that allows for the entrance of air but not the exit of liquid. This check valve is built into the body of the cap.